What Is the Crime of “Qazf” (False Accusation of Adultery or Sodomy) in Iranian Law?

A Legal Guide to One of the Harshest Hadd Crimes in Islamic Jurisprudence

Introduction

In Iranian and Islamic criminal law, Qazf is one of the most serious offenses. It refers to falsely accusing someone of adultery (zina) or sodomy (liwat) without producing legitimate evidence. This crime carries a mandatory Hadd punishment of 80 lashes, and its conditions for proof are clearly defined in the Islamic Penal Code.

Legal Definition of Qazf

According to Article 245 of the Islamic Penal Code:

“Qazf is the attribution of zina (adultery) or liwat (sodomy) to another person, even if the person is deceased.”

The accusation must be made without four just witnesses or a confession from the accused, otherwise the person making the accusation is guilty of Qazf.

What Statements Count as Qazf?

Explicitly or implicitly calling someone an “adulterer” or “sodomite”

Making sexual accusations during fights, online arguments, or public posts

Using vulgar terms that clearly imply illicit sexual acts

Spreading sexual rumors about a known individual

The accusation must be directed at a specific, chaste individual. General or vague comments do not meet the legal criteria for Qazf.

Conditions for Qazf to Apply

To legally prove the crime of Qazf, the following must be present:

A clear or implied accusation of zina or liwat

Directed at a living, chaste, and identifiable person

Made without valid evidence or testimony

Delivered in a provable manner — such as a message, voice recording, or in front of witnesses